In The Home Stretch...,

My birthday is coming up, and you know why that means! Only four squares left on my journal quilt! Woot!

A Good Book to Read

Still plugging away at my Some Kind of Wonderful! A block a month!

 

Flowers In Winter

My last post was so down, but I do want to acknowledge that I've had joy this week too. Thursday was Valentines Day, and, for the first time in many years, I received flowers at work! That are from my Sweetie. He started out as my geocaching teammate, but, for the last four months, it's grown into something beautiful. He's warmth and laughter and goodness.

 

Thought I'd share my flowers with you!

Happy Valentines Day! Happy Spring!

 

And, She Smiles...

And so, wraps a tough week. Remember the picture of my car being towed? It's going to the auto graveyard. And, with that, stability has been pulled out from under my feet, and I wander in restless dread.

I've never bought a car before - I've always bought hand-me-downs. But nobody has a car this time. Now, for the first time, I'm having to decide between buying, leasing, fixing.... All with money I don't possess, payments I can't afford.

I've been searching online, visiting lots, trying to make connections. I'm shocked at the price tags on used cars older than mine, with more miles. There is no way these junkers can outlast the loan payments. Leasing? Spending money on something I can't keep - and no pleasure in driving because I'll spend all my time at a 2nd job just to afford it.

Another job.... I just ended a decade of two jobs..... They say that if you work hard... The American dream. But it's not getting easier. And without my little car, no exploring, no adventures.

Secretly, I've always had a dream of owning a new car, maybe an Explorer or a nice Focus. For a brief moment, I thought maybe this was my chance. Instead, I feel like a loser because even a clunker is out of my reach. Two week shy of my 43rd birthday, and this is where I'm at.

What to do? I feel by the time I get past this ordeal I should earn a degree or diploma. Will I ever make the right decision? It's not like I have many options.... Luckily, I have family & friends around, helping with rides, in the meantime. I have a boyfriend who, also riderless, loves me, too, and understands my fears.

Today my brother & his wife took me to the Detroit Riverwalk on a short adventure. And, for awhile, I was able to forget and smile. I must stop focusing on what I've lost, and appreciate what I have. I hope soon I will be off on another adventure again.

The Things We Do For Our Passions....

Detroit Riverwalk

Today, my sister-in-law Robyn "took the plunge". She jumped into the Detroit River for the 2013 Polar Plunge. Afterwards, we took a walk along the Detroit River, and then it started to snow....

Where am I lately?

Saying goodbye to an old friend. So stressed.

Don't Worry About It

Seems like everyone is running around, in a mood lately.  Is it the weather?  Holiday bills? Cabin Fever? Another change in the wind?

A sage friend shared the following with me; it's posted on my office wall. I find I've spent a lot of time staring at it lately.  Maybe you'll find it useful, too?

Take care and don't worry about it!

Elisa



Ok, I Couldn't Stand It...

I had to iron it. (grin)

Life is too Short to wait for an Iron

I completed this SKoW block a week ago, but I haven't had a chance to pull out the iron. Plus, it's winter so no good lighting. I finally decided to post as is.

This is my favorite block, so far. Hard to believe I was a newbie at appliqué last year. What fun!

Happy Monday!